| Speaker system utilizing input from a transducer in proximity to a separate speaker -> Monitor Keywords |
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Speaker system utilizing input from a transducer in proximity to a separate speakerRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems And Devices, Monitoring/measuring Of Audio Devices, Loudspeaker OperationSpeaker system utilizing input from a transducer in proximity to a separate speaker description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060285695, Speaker system utilizing input from a transducer in proximity to a separate speaker. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention is related to speaker systems that produce sound based on input obtained by a transducer that receives an acoustical signal produced by a separate speaker. BACKGROUND [0002] Speaker systems convert electrical signals into acoustical signals that are audible. Typically, a speaker system includes a speaker that is driven by an amplifier, where the amplifier receives a low voltage electrical signal and outputs a higher voltage electrical signal to the speaker. The low voltage electrical signal typically comes from a source or head unit that obtains a signal by having a radio frequency tuner that obtains a radio signal and converts the radio signal into the electrical signal or obtains a signal by reading an encoded signal from a medium such as a magnetic tape or an optical disc, e.g., a compact disc. [0003] Providing the electrical signal from the source unit to the amplifier of the speaker system typically involves linking the two with a patch cable that is often coaxial in nature but may be of other forms including twisted pairs. Because the source unit and amplifier may be spaced apart, extending the patch cable between them can be burdensome. This is especially the case when adding a speaker system to a vehicle. [0004] In a vehicle, the source unit is usually at the front while the speaker system being that includes a power amplifier and that is being added to the vehicle is located elsewhere. Positioning the patch cable often involves disassembling the dashboard to access the rear of the source unit where the low voltage level outputs are located and then disassembling additional pieces of the vehicle along the pathway from the source unit to wherever the amplifier is located, such as in a trunk. This is a time consuming and burdensome process. [0005] As an alternative to obtaining a low voltage electrical signal and transferring it to the amplifier via the patch cable, an amplifier with a high voltage level or so-called speaker level input may be used so that the input signal can be obtained by accessing existing wiring leading to existing speakers in the vehicle, or a high-level to low-level converter may be used to provide the signal to a low level input of the amplifier. However, either of these approaches can also be a burdensome task requiring disassembly of covers and panels of the vehicle to access the wiring leading to existing speakers and may also involve splicing into the existing wiring. This is a time consuming and burdensome process as well. [0006] In addition to obtaining the input signal for the amplifier of the speaker system, the amplifier must also be provided with electrical power. Again, in the context of a vehicle, providing electrical power to the amplifier can also be a burdensome task. Generally, electrical power is provided by positioning a power lead from the positive terminal of the battery in the engine compartment to the area where the amplifier is located, such as in the trunk. Much like the patch cable installation, installing the power lead may also require disassembly of portions of the vehicle. This is also a time consuming and burdensome process. [0007] For individuals without the necessary skill, tools, or desire, installing such a speaker system is unrealistic. Instead, such individuals opt for a professional installation if such is affordable or otherwise forego installing the speaker system. The professional installation of the speaker system that includes installing the power lead and patch cable can be time consuming and costly. Furthermore, if the individual wishes to move the speaker system from one vehicle to another location(s), such as from a personal vehicle to a rented vehicle, to a friend's vehicle, to a boat, or to a home, then the time consuming and burdensome process must be repeated for the other location(s). SUMMARY [0008] Embodiments of the present invention address these issues and others by providing a speaker system that utilizes a transducer to obtain an acoustical signal from a speaker that is separate from the speaker system, such as an existing speaker of a vehicle, and to thereby produce an electrical signal that can be amplified to drive the speaker of the speaker system. Accordingly, no patch cable or accessing of existing speaker wiring is necessary but instead the transducer is placed in proximity to the separate speaker. Additionally, certain embodiments provide for power to the amplifier of the speaker system by utilizing a socket plug placed into the utility electrical power socket of the vehicle. [0009] One embodiment is a system that includes a first speaker that receives a first electrical signal and produces a first acoustical signal. A transducer is in proximity to the first speaker such that the transducer produces a second electrical signal in response to receiving the first acoustical signal. An amplifier amplifies the second electrical signal to produce a third electrical signal, and a second speaker receives the third electrical signal and produces a second acoustical signal. [0010] Another embodiment is a method of generating sound that involves placing a transducer in proximity to a first speaker and generating a first acoustical signal at the first speaker in response to a first electrical signal. The method further involves receiving the first acoustical signal at the transducer to produce a second electrical signal and amplifying the second electrical signal to produce a third electrical signal. Additionally, the method involves receiving the third electrical signal at a second speaker to produce a second acoustical signal. [0011] Another embodiment is a system that includes a transducer in proximity to a first speaker, wherein the first speaker produces a first acoustical signal from a first electrical signal and wherein the transducer produces a second electrical signal in response to receiving the first acoustical signal. The system includes a preamplifier that is electrically connected to the transducer and that amplifies the second electrical signal to produce an intermediate electrical signal. A power amplifier is electrically connected to the preamplifier and amplifies the intermediate electrical signal to produce a third electrical signal, and the power amplifier including a power input. A vehicle power socket plug is electrically connected to the power input, receives electrical power, and provides the electrical power to the power input. A subwoofer receives the third electrical signal and produces a second acoustical signal, and an enclosure to which the subwoofer is mounted. [0012] Another embodiment is a method of installing a speaker system in one or more locations where each of the one or more locations has a first speaker coupled to a head unit and has a power socket. The method involves plugging in a power socket plug into the power socket of a first location, wherein the power socket plug is electrically connected to a power input of an amplifier and provides power from the power socket to the amplifier and wherein the amplifier is electrically coupled to a second speaker of the speaker system. The method further involves placing a transducer in proximity to the first speaker, wherein the transducer is electrically coupled to an audio signal input of the amplifier. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a system including a speaker system that receives input from the acoustical output of a separate speaker. [0014] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a system where a power amplifier receives electrical power via a utility power socket of a vehicle. [0015] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of operations employed to install a speaker system in one location such as a first vehicle and then move the speaker system to another location such as a second vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] Embodiments of the present invention provide for a speaker system that receives an acoustical signal as input rather than an electrical system so that the speaker system does not need to be electrically connected to an audio signal source. The speaker system utilizes a transducer to receive the acoustical signal from a separate speaker and to produce an electrical signal. The electrical signal is then amplified and used to drive a speaker of the speaker system. In this manner the input signal is obtained merely be positioning the transducer in proximity to the separate speaker. [0017] FIG. 1 shows one example of a system schematic. In this example, the system 100 includes a source or head unit 102 such as a stereo unit of a car. Typically, this head unit 102 has a radio frequency tuner and/or a media reader such as a tape or disc reader so as to produce an electrical audio signal 104 from audio outputs 103. The electrical audio signal 104 travels through a pair of wires 105 to a speaker 106, such as the speaker located in the factory speaker location of the automobile (e.g., in a door panel, dash location, rear shelf location, etc.). In the context of an automobile, the existing speaker 106 is typically mounted to a surface 107 of the interior of the vehicle such as the door panel and the wires 105 are typically discretely routed behind panels and covers of the vehicle. [0018] While FIG. 1 shows one audio output 103 and one speaker 106, it will be appreciated that standard audio systems for which embodiments may be employed typically have at least two audio outputs and two speakers but may have many more. For example, additional audio outputs and speakers may be provided for multi-channel sound such as stereo, front and rear stereo of a vehicle, matrixed surround sound, 5.1 audio, and the like. However, only a single speaker 106 is needed for producing an acoustical signal 108 to be used as the input signal for the embodiment of the speaker system that is being added to supplement any existing speakers. [0019] The acoustical signal 108 that is produced is captured by a transducer 110 of the speaker system. The transducer 110 may be of various forms including unidirectional and omnidirectional microphones. One example of a transducer 110 is an electret condenser such as that found in lapel microphones, which has a small size and usually has an omnidirectional pick-up pattern. Specific examples include the ATR35S lapel microphone from Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., of Stow, Ohio, as well as the 33-3013 Hands-Free Tie-Clip Omnidirectional Electret microphone from RadioShack Corporation of Fort Worth Tex. Such microphones provide a wide frequency response including adequate sensitivity to bass frequencies below 100 Hertz (Hz). Continue reading about Speaker system utilizing input from a transducer in proximity to a separate speaker... Full patent description for Speaker system utilizing input from a transducer in proximity to a separate speaker Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Speaker system utilizing input from a transducer in proximity to a separate speaker patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Speaker system utilizing input from a transducer in proximity to a separate speaker or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and system for managing key of home device in broadcast encryption (be) system Next Patent Application: High noise environment stethoscope Industry Class: Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Speaker system utilizing input from a transducer in proximity to a separate speaker patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.40768 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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